Page:Virgil's Pastorals, Georgics and Aeneis - Dryden (1709) - volume 1.pdf/101

 the Iliads; where she condescends to rallié him so agreeably; and notwithstanding her severe Virtue, and all the Ensigns of Majesty, with which she so terribly adorns'' her self, condescends to ride with him in his Chariot? But the Odysses are full of greater instances of condescension than this.''

This brings to mind that Famous passage of Lucan, in which he prefers Cato to all the Gods at once,

Which Brelæuf has render'd so flatly, and which may be thus Paraphras'd.

Heaven meanly with the Conquerour did comply, But Cato rather than submit would die.

It is an unpardonable presumption in any sort of Religion to complement their Princes at the expence of their Deities.

But letting that pass, this whole Eclogue is but a long Paraphrase of a trite Verse in Virgil, and Homer,

So true is that Remark of the Admirable E. of Roscomon, if apply'd to the Romans, rather I fear than to the English, since his own Death.